RURAL PROJECTS that protect the environment and mitigate the impact of climate change have been allocated a further £34 million by the Scottish Government.

A total of 472 businesses will benefit from this latest award of Agri-Environment Climate Scheme funding, which is intended to fund environmentally friendly land management practices.

However, there is concern that actual climate scheme contracts are not yet in place, with successful applicants still waiting on an authority to start work letter. NFU Scotland has asked that this delay be taken into account in the future administration of each project.

This latest tranche of money brings the total committed to rural businesses under AECS to more than £211 million since 2015, benefitting almost 3000 applicants.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Facing a global climate emergency, the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme has proven to be a successful way of supporting farmers, crofters and land managers to promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

“This latest funding to 472 individuals and rural businesses will support and promote a greener and more prosperous environment, through improving water quality, managing flood risks, protecting natural habitats and promoting biodiversity.

“Rural Scotland holds one of the key assets we will need to tackle climate change and address biodiversity loss, our land, which is why I am clear that future agri-environment support will continue as we transition to a low carbon future,” said Mr Ewing.

Scottish Natural Heritage’s chief executive Francesca Osowska said: “A nature-rich Scotland is key to reducing the effects of climate change, so it’s great news that farmers and crofters will have additional funding to continue their important work supporting Scotland's biodiversity.

"Many farmers are doing wonderful work to improve, create and link important habitats and the vulnerable wildlife they support – like brown hares, corncrake and curlew. This extra funding will also ensure that work to reduce the risk of flooding and improve water quality will continue.”

With regard to the yet-to-appear contracts, NFUS president Andrew McCornick said: “Whilst we appreciate that the delay in issuing these contracts has been unavoidable due to the uncertainty of available budget, we are concerned that these contracts are not in place with successful applicants still waiting on an authority to start work letter. The lengthy and difficult application process for AECS, combined with these delays, only further discourages potential applicants from considering these schemes.

“NFU Scotland is also concerned that at this point in time there are no schemes open to new applicants offering support in implementing mitigation measures for climate change, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality or managing flood risks, as the 2020 AECS scheme is only available to those whose AECS contracts ends this year," said Mr McCornick. "Scotland’s farmers and crofters play a vital role in delivering a wide range of environmental benefits and public goods but must be supported in reaching these objectives."

NFU Scotland environmental regulations policy manager Jenny Brunton said: “NFU Scotland is disappointed that 2019 AECS contracts are not in place with successful applicants still waiting on an authority to start work letter.

“The delay in commencement of works, in conjunction with the ongoing period of challenging weather, must be taken into consideration when applicants are unable to meet prescriptive calendar dates or requests for variations to their contracts.”